College Bound – Your Career in Dance

Being a university dance alum myself, it is my desire to help new and future college students with their transition to studying dance in a university setting. I have already posted topics on this subject, however, if you are new to the blog you may not know about them so I thought I’d do a little re-post compiling the articles. Also, I’d like to provide you with resources for further investigation. Check out the links at the bottom of this article on Dance as a Career, Scholarships for Dancers, and more.

The College Guide

How to Decide on A College

Topics Included:

• What are your goals? (see also setting goals in dance)
  
• The audition process.
  
• Location, facilities, and campus life.
• If you are concerned about grades…
• Making the transition

Tips for College Part I

Topics Included:

• Technique Classes
  • Trust and Balance
• Rehearsals
  • Get Involved and Be Professional

Tips for College Part II

Topics Included:

• Improvisation/Modern Dance/Contemporary Concepts
  
  • Go For It!
  • The Task at Hand
• Filling in the Gaps
  

Tips for College Part III

Topics Included:

• Theory and Liberal Arts Classes
  • Study and Note-taking
  • Absences
  • Embrace Learning
    
• Take Care of Your Instrument

Dance as a Career

• Challenges in Professional Dance
• Jobs in Dance Companies
• Jobs in Media and Communications
• Jobs in Medicine and Health Care
• Dance Teaching Jobs
• Secrets to Extending Your Dance Career
• From Campus to Professional Life
  
• What Becomes of Undergraduate Dance Majors? (a study)
  

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Scholarships for Dancers (USA)
• Dance and Drama Awards (UK)
• Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund (USA)
• Directory of Dance Scholarships (I believe all of these are USA)
• Dance Magazine Scholarship Guide 2008
  

Find a College That Meets Your Criteria

Dance Magazine College Guide 08-09
Dance Department Blogs
I just thought it was interesting that some university dance departments now have their own blogs, so I’m adding these links. Check them out!

• Ohio State University – OSU Dance
• Wayne State University – Maggie Allesee Department of Dance

If you would like to suggest additional resources for dance in higher education (particularly for areas outside the U.S., please post links or information in the comments.

If you have questions about dance in a university setting, feel free to contact me.

Related posts:

1. A Dancer’s Guide: Tips for College (Part III)
2. College Days Ahead? Don’t Miss “College Parent Central”
3. A Dancer’s Guide: How to Decide on a College

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Nichelle Strzepek is the writer/editor of Dance Advantage. Equipped with little more than passion for movement education, she embraced her inner computer nerd and began this blog in 2008. She holds a BA in dance and is an instructor with over 16 years experience. Nichelle continues to perform as a contemporary dance artist, covers dance in the Houston area as a freelance writer and critic, and balances daily life as a full-time mom.

Nichelle has written 237 articles for Dance Advantage.